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Parents across Gwent are being urged to vaccinate their children against measles, following an increase in the infection reported in England.
What is Measles?
Measles usually starts with cold-like symptoms, such as a high temperature, a runny or blocked nose, sneezing, coughing or red, sore, watery eyes, followed by a rash a few days later. Some people may also get small white spots in their mouth.
Why is Caerphilly in Gwent?
Caerphilly County Borough was formed on April 1, 1996, by the merger of the Rhymney Valley district of Mid Glamorgan with the Islwyn borough of Gwent.
Administratively, for local services such as the police and health, the borough now falls under a wider region referred to as Gwent. This comprises the council areas of Caerphilly, Newport, Torfaen, Blaenau Gwent and Monmouthshire.
Measles can be vaccinated against with the MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) vaccine.
In a statement, the director for public health for Gwent, Professor Tracy Daszkiewicz, said: “Measles is very serious and can make children very sick and lead to further complications which could result in hospitalisation.
“We are calling on all parents and guardians to make sure their children are up to date with their two MMR doses.
“It’s never too late to catch up, and you can get the MMR vaccine for free on the NHS, whatever your age.”
The MMR vaccine comes in two doses, with the first available to children at age one and the second dose available at three-years and four-months old.
Prof Daszkiewicz stressed “it is not too late to get a free vaccine” if a child has missed either of those doses.
She added: “We will invite children and adults who have not had their MMR vaccine to vaccination clinics across Gwent, commencing Monday August 21.
“But anyone who hasn’t had their MMR vaccine can contact our vaccination team to request an appointment by calling 0300 303 1373.
“Measles is a very serious illness and is preventable through vaccination. I would urge people to attend for vaccine if they haven’t had one.
“This is important for individual health and preventing transmission across our communities.”
Anyone who suspects they or their child has Measles can contact NHS 111 to request an urgent GP appointment.
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